Active Duty Air Force to Army National Guard

This is my first post after countless months of lurking and I am looking to gain a bit of knowledge from the Vertical Reference community. I have done quite a bit of research in hopes of finding the answers I'm looking for but it seems that I am in a unique position.

A little bit of my background for context. I am an E-5 in the Active Duty Air Force with 5 years of service in Special Operations with an additional 3 years left on my current contract. I have been in contact with an Active Duty Army Warrant Officer recruiter which led me to start building my WOFT packet. With exception to the few extra speedbumps for Interservice transfers the process seems pretty straight forward to make the transition into the Active Duty Army. Only problem is that is not exactly what I'm looking to do. My actual goal is to pursue aviation through the Army National Guard.

Now with that wall of text out of the way (sorry). I have a few questions I hope y'all can help me with.

1. Is there a program for Interservice transfer into National Guard WOFT?

2. Other services to include the Air Force allow people to terminate their current service commitment by receiving a conditional release (DD form 368) to pursue WOFT. Would the Air Force even consider issuing me a conditional release to transfer from Active Duty to an Army Guard Warrant Officer position?

3. Should I have my entire WOFT packet complete before contacting the National Guard unit I intend on joining?

These questions are very specific to my situation and I am hoping to receive as much insight into the National Guard process as possible. I truly appreciate your time spent reading this and I look forward to expanding my knowledge on the topic. If this is posted in the wrong area or you can't answer my specific questions, a point in the right direction would be much appreciated!

Each state does things a little bit different. Figure out which state/states you wish to apply, and reach out to a recruiter in that state. Have a recruiter put you in touch with the "WOSM," that is the warrant officer strength manager. The WOSM should be able to get you all the answers about how your state of choice does stuff, but it doesn't hurt to ask the WOSM for the contact info for someone in aviation in your state, preferably someone who is on the selection board, so you can communicate directly, get your name out there, etc. Unless the WOSM was a pilot in that state, they probably don't have the most intimate idea of how the state handles aviation applicants, and what, if any, exceptions they would make. Once you figure out what your state will want from you for you to apply, you will be in a better position to talk to your Air Force command. For example, some states require you to already be a member of the national guard, others do street to seat, and still others will make exceptions to whatever their policy is when appropriate/if they want or need you. The individual state aviation boards have flexibility if they choose to exercise it. There is no reason, for example, they couldn't board you with a DD368 unless that state has a policy against it.

You will need to take the SIFT and get a class 1 flight physical taken care of for your packet. I'd assume you are all set on the security clearance considering you are in the special operations community. The state requirements for WOFT packets seem to vary a little bit from state to state in terms of what letters they want to see, etc, so again, ask them when you talk to them what they want to see first. You certainly can and should approach them as I explained above prior to building your packet.

As to the DD368, that will be up to your Air Force command which will weigh all sorts of factors from whether or not they feel like it to what the needs of the Air Force are. They could be happy to do it, or refuse it, for any or no reason.

As an aside, when talking with a recruiter, make sure they check on whether or not your experience in the special operations community waives the army boot camp requirement for you. Also if you attended a SERE level C course make sure you hold on to your certificate.

Thanks for the replies guys! At this point it is looking that I will not have to reaccomplish Basic, SERE, or my secret clearance because of my current career field.

I was planning on putting my whole packet together to the best of my ability before contacting a recruiter or WOSM but it sounds as if that might not be my best bet. I guess I'll be making contact with a recruiter soon to see even if the state will accept inter service transfers.

Looking like the hardest part will be getting released from my "critically manned career field". Wish me luck.

Lines 1-3.... ha. I got a good buddy who was a CCT for 15 years now flying C-12s. And I was a JTAC in the Marine Corps. Hit me up if you need anything, have any questions. I can put you in touch if needed.

Lines 1-3.... ha. I got a good buddy who was a CCT for 15 years now flying C-12s. And I was a JTAC in the Marine Corps. Hit me up if you need anything, have any questions. I can put you in touch if needed.